Richard 'Vegas' Prier

Richard 'Vegas' Prier, 70, passed away at his home on March 12, 2013, following a battle with lung cancer.

Richard 'Vegas' Prier, 70, passed away at his home on March 12, 2013, following a battle with lung cancer.

He was born on Nov. 9, 1942, in Granby, to George Carmen and Inabel (Bolan) Prier.

Richard was a lifelong resident of the Granby-Wheaton area and was a junior high school teacher for 10 years in Wheaton. He loved to play poker and was known as "Vegas" at the casinos.

Richard married Joy Lynn Sears on June 20, 1970, in Granby, and she survives.

He is also survived by his children, Kevin Prier and wife, Michelle, and Ryan Prier, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; brother, Al Prier; sisters, Rexine Johnson and Darlene Kirk; mother-in-law Jean Sears; brother-in-law Ted Sears; sister-in-law Jill Offutt. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Evelyn VanVelson.

The body has been cremated and a memorial visitation and celebration of Richard's life will be held 5-7 p.m. on Monday, March 18 at Clark Funeral Home, Granby.